What we’re thinking, what we’re watching, what’s coming on the blog today and the RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day). Setting up your day in soccer …

Ahead on the blog today*: Trashing the 4-3-3 was in vogue last year; what say you now, 4-3-3 bashers, with Sporting Kansas City and others showing the way in three-forward setups? Plus, info on a bunch of names you know from U.S. national teams past, and they are getting the band back together!

RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Alan Mayer

What we should all be watching on TV: Slightly slim pickins. Or maybe Bologna against Cagliari in Serie A is your thing. If so, be near Fox Soccer Channel at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Big Important Story of the Day: The mind games will be a’flyin in two countries. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says his side’s Premier League title hopes remain kaput, never mind the narrowing gap following Wigan’s huge Wednesday’s win over Manchester United. Seems a bit strange – unless Mancini is channeling his inner Mourinho, playing Jedi mind tricks on Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Meanwhile, Bayern will be reduced to something similar, with Dortmund having pulled almost unstoppably clear in the Bundesliga chase.

Twitter dap: Philadelphia Union attacker Freddy Adu (@FreddyAdu), before dinner time Wednesday: “stretching then sushi. Stretching has become part of my daily routine because im naturally tight. My game has improved greatly from this.”

PST background noise while blogging today: DVR-ed series on best rivalries in world soccer.

We’ll leave you with this: Noticed a lack of pep in my step today. Feeling a little down. I honestly believe it’s lack of Champions League. Next week cannot get here fast enough.

The suffering Swans have had their share of poor performances this season — Clement later said January transfer spending “is a must” if the club wants to stay up — but he’s throwing his hands up in the air when it comes to Wednesday’s loss at the Liberty Stadium.

“At times it was horrible to be on the sideline watching that, seeing my side trying but suffering for long periods. They’re not the games that will decide our season but it was hard to watch at times because they were so dominant. For me, one of the best sides I’ve ever come across. So many good athletes, so many intelligent footballers and it’s really hard to pin them down. We actually had some attempts on their goal so I’m disappointed we didn’t get on the score sheet but they were a far superior side to us. We’ve got to put it aside that game. We’ve got Everton away (next) and we’ve got to try and pick something up there.”

All that’s left is for Clement to pick up a clarinet, awkwardly blow into it, then point at Pep Guardiola and say, “He’s good.”

United didn’t have it’s A-game, but that was okay thanks to fine defensive play from star backstop David De Gea and some gutsy tackles from Phil Jones. The goal came when Juan Mata‘s cross was nodded home by Romelu Lukaku in the 25th minute, and United rode that marker for all it was worth to stay three points ahead of third place Chelsea.

How good is Man City? Pep Guardiola‘s bunch have now won a Premier League record 15-straight in a single season, and have scored 52 goals while conceding just 11. Markers 49-52 came from David Silva (two), Kevin De Bruyne, and Sergio Aguero. Tottenham is next.

A ball bounded off Ahmed Hegazi’s body, and off Dominic Solanke‘s body and forearm to give Liverpool its presumed breakthrough, but the call was intentional handball. The Reds had myriad chances to score before that, but instead hand a point to the visiting Baggies.

The chances were there for dominant Arsenal, but the winning goal did not materialize at the London Stadium. Marko Arnautovic did everything but score when West Ham did manage the ball, and Javier Hernandez rattled the cage late, but David Moyes men had to settle for a well-earned point.

8 – Eight different clubs have won more points away from home in the Premier League than Arsenal (9) this season – Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool, Burnley, Watford, Leicester & Spurs. Issue. pic.twitter.com/waUWHXCws6

Spurs are back in the Top Four thanks to a long Serge Aurier cross that fooled Mat Ryan and a Heung-Min Son deflection of a Christian Eriksen offering. Brighton’s just three points away from the drop zone with the loss.

Claude Puel‘s Foxes are flying, scoring goals for fun and encroaching on the Top Four after a horrible start to the Premier League season. Shinji Okazaki bagged his first Premier League brace, while Andy King and Riyad Mahrez also scored for Leicester, who is within five points of fourth and next faces Crystal Palace. Southampton’s goal came from Maya Yoshida.

1 – This is the first time that two Japanese players have scored for opposing sides in the history of the Premier League. Answer. https://t.co/HOApDbofnv